Astronomy/ancient astronomy

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Expert: Steven LJ Russo - 9/29/2005


Question
I have a question about the ancient astronomical system of  Ptolemy, who lived in the 2nd cent AD and wrote the ‘Almagest'.  I have read many secondary sources regarding his geocentric system of circular orbits, deferents, equants, cycles and epicycles, but have never seen or read anything about how his system could actually be used to predict astronomical events, such as eclipses, planetary locations, equinoxes, phases of the moon, etc.   Can you explain this or direct me to a good source?  

Answer
Well the problem with his system, was that although it did somewhat show the nightly motions of the planets, it could NOT accurately demonstrate things such as Eclipses, and the like.

There used to be sa really good book called:

"The History of Astronomy from Thales to Kepler".  See if it is still available.

Steve

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Steven LJ Russo

Expertise

As a space science educator in a planetarium, my work centers around teaching people about the night sky and the solar system. I have a strong background in those areas, plus the history of NASA and spaceflight, and meteorology.

Experience

Experience in the area. I have been an amateur astronomer for 47 years, and have been teachng space science in planetariums for 34 years. For 15 years I was a radio and television meteorologist, and for the past 20 years I have been a space science writer for two newspapers in New York State. I am a member of the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society and the International Planetarium Society. I have had a number of articles published in several astronomy journals, including "The Constellation" and the "Planetarian". Education/Credentials. I hold a B. S. from Wagner College and an M. S. from State University of New York at Oswego. Awards and Honors. I have been awarded the "Fellows" award from the International Planetarium Society for more than 20 years of continuous service in the planetarium field.

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